Method of treating fabrics with liquid



July 27, 1954 M. J. NEGRO METHOD OF TREATING FABRICS WITH LIQUID 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 13, 1947 INVENTOR. MICHAEL J. NEGRO ATTORN EY July 27, 1954 M. J. NEGRO 2,684,887

METHOD OF TREATING FABRICS WITH LIQUID Filed Oct. 13, 1 947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. MICHAEL J. NEGRO ATTORNEY Patented July 27, 1954 METHOD OF TREATING FABRICS WITH LIQUID Michael J. Negro, Warren Point, N'.. .L, assignor to Van Vlaanderen Machine Company, Paterson, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 13, 1947, Serial No. 779,485

6 Claims.

My invention relates to a method of treating fabric, for dyeing, bleaching or washing the same, and to apparatus for use in connection with the method.

An important object of the invention is to provide a method of the above mentioned character, which is continuous in operation, and may be carried on for any suitable length of time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method for continuously treating fabric of considerable length by causing the fabric to travel spirally about companion reels or guides, and then pass at the end of one reel to the companion reel.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus to-be used in the practice of the method, and which is reliable and automatic in operation, and is not apt to injure the fabric during the treatment period.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character having a tub or vat properly shaped for the formation and reception of the folded slack portions of the fabric.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the teller. ing description.

In accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a plan View of the same,

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the fabric rope, and,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a lower transverse shaft and associated elements.

In the drawings, wherein for thepurpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral l designates a vat or tank, which is horizontal and open at the top. This vat or tank has ends 2, which are vertically curved or inclined, as shown. The vat or tank is free from partitions and its chamber is therefore unitary. This vat holds the liquid for treating the fabric and this liquid may be a dye, a bleaching compound or water for washing, or the like.

Arranged above the vat or tank- I are rotatable reels or guides 3, which are oval. in cross section. These reels are rigidly mounted upon horizontal shafts 4, which are journaled. in stationary bearings 5. These bearings are rigidly mounted upon vertical frames. 6. These; reels. 3 which are oval or elliptical are disposed near and inwardly of the inclined ends 2 of the vat I. The reels are arranged in spaced opposed relation above the vat, and the ends of one reel are in alignment with the ends of the other reel, and the reels are parallel. The shafts 4' have sprocket wheels "I, rigidly mounted thereon, driven by sprocket chains 8, extending downwardly to engage sprocket wheels 9, mounted upon horizontal shafts It, journaled in suitable bearings. The shafts Ill have worm wheels H rigidly mounted thereon, driven by worms l2, carried by longitudinal horizontal shaft 13-. This shaft is journaled in suitable bearings and is driven by a motor i l through suitable gearing 5. The worms 12' are oppositely pitched so that the shaft 13 drives the reels or guides 3 in opposite directions. These reels are ordinarily driven at about 24 R. P. M.. The reels 3 are spaced above the vat or tank I, for a suitable distance, and are arranged over and near the curved ends 2. The reels 3' have their upper portions rotating outwardly in opposite directions toward the curved ends of the vat, so that they will deposit the folded layers of the fabric rope in contact with the curved or inclined ends 2'. The reels 3 have eccentric faces so that these reels form pleats in the lower runs.

Arranged above the vat or tank I and suitably mounted thereon are rake beams l6, carrying stati'onaryspaced tines I 1. Arranged near and above these tines and inwardly of the beams l5 and outwardly of the tines, are guide rolls it, carried by shafts I9 journaled in bearings til.

The tines IT and guide rolls [8 are'disposed be tween the vertical frames 6- and are arranged at an elevation beneath the reels 3 and between these reels.

A platform 26' is mounted upon the vat or tank 9, between the rolls 18, so that the attendant may walk between the reels-'3.

When the machine'is loaded, an endless fabric rope 2| is formed, which is shown diagrammatically by a single line, for the purpose of illustration. This fabric rope travels from the dis charge end of theleft reel 3 to the take-up end of the right reel 3, Figure 2, and from the discharge end of the right reel 3 to the take-up end of the left reel. From the discharge end of the left reel the fabric rope passe's'beneath the left reel and" beneath the left guide" roll l8, and then acrossthe vat or tank and up and over the right guide roll is and over the" intake end of the right reel 3-, forming an upper" run 22, then-beneath the right reel for forming a lower run 23, and then first beneath and then over the right guide roll l8. The fabric rope then passes over the right reel to form the next upper run 22, and then beneath the right reel to form the next lower run 23, and this operation is repeated until the discharge end of the right reel is reached. The fabric rope then passes beneath the discharge end of the right reel 3 and beneath the right guide roll I8, and extends across the vat or tank I to the left reel 3. In extending to the take-up end of the left reel 3, the fabric rope 2| extends upwardly and over the left guide roll l8 and over the left reel 3, forming the upper run 22, then beneath the left reel, forming the lower run 23, and under and over the left guide roll. The fabric rope then passes over the left reel 3, forming the next upper run, and then beneath the left reel 3, forming the next lower run 23, and this operation is continued until the discharge end of the left reel is reached, at which time the fabric rope passes beneath the discharge end of the left reel 3 and beneath the left guide roll i8, and then across the vat or tank to the take-up end of the right reel 3, as explained. It is thus seen that the fabric rope is wound spirally about each reel, forming the spiral portions having the upper runs 22 and the lower runs 23. The slack occurs in the lower runs 23, which may be about 120 yards for each lower run. The lower run 23 is folded into layers or pleats 23 by the action of the elliptical reel 3. The layers are accumulated at the upper outer end of the group and are removed at the inner lower end of the same. When the machine is loaded with the fabric rope, it may be operated continuously for any suitable length of time. The lower layers or runs 23 are submerged in the liquid body within the vat or tank. This liquid may be a dye. a bleaching agent, water for washing, or other liquid. The lower folded runs 23 or pleats 23' travel downwardly and inwardly upon the curved ends 22 by gravity, as the layers or pleats 23' are built up at the outer upper ends of the group, while the layers or pleats 23' are withdrawn from the lower inner ends of the group. The inclined ends 2 turn the pleats 23 as they move inwardly and downwardly by gravity so that the inner pleats are generally upstanding and are not covered by the outer pleats. The tines I! keep the lower runs 23 separated. The chamber of the vat or tank I is unitary, and this aids in the free circulation of the liquid dye or the like. The spiral portions of the fabric rope upon the reels, are separate, except at their ends. The movement of the folded lower runs 23 or pleats 23' in the liquid is continuous upon the curved ends 2, in an inward and downward direction, and the fabric rope is not subjected to severe action, which would tend to injure the same. The method and apparatus may be used for treating various types of fabric, such as fabrics formed of silk, rayon, nylon, wool, cotton, or other material.

In loading the machine, the operator stands upon the platform 20 and throws the free end of the fabric rope over the rotating reel, which will produce the desired length of folded slack. ihe desired length is obtained when a marked portion of the rope appears upon the reel, at

which time the operator catches the free end of y the slack, pulls it up, and again throws such free end over the rotating reel. When the outlet end of the reel is reached, the free end of the rope is passed across the vat and applied to the cornpanion reel, in a similar manner.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The method of treating fabric for dyeing, bleaching, or washing the same, comprising forming the fabric into an endless rope, passing portions of the endless rope about spaced opposed generally elliptical horizontal substantially parallel reels arranged near and above a liquid mass, forming upon each reel a spirally wound rope portion, holding the spirally wound rope portions separate from each other except at their ends, forming upper and lower runs in each spirally wound rope portion and slack in the lower runs, contacting the upper runs only with the upper portions of the reels and permanently spacing the lower runs from the lower portions of the reels, arranging the discharge end of each spirally wound rope portion beneath its reel and the intake end of each spirally wound rope portion above its reel, arranging the discharge end of each spirally wound rope portion next to the intake end of the other spirally wound rope portion and passing such discharge end to such intake end, submerging the slack in the liquid mass, rotating the reels so that their upper portions travel outwardly in opposite directions and the upper runs drop down over the outer sides of the reels, adding folded layers to the lower runs of each spiral rope portion at their outer ends and taking folded layers from the lower runs of each spiral rope portion at their inner ends, supporting the lower runs of each spirally wound rope portion so that they are moved inwardly and downwardly by gravity, engaging the intermediate runs of each spirally wound rope portion upon the inner side of the reel and holding such runs against lateral movement toward the reel and holding such runs separate from each other.

2. The method of treating fabric for dyeing, bleaching, or washing the same, comprising forming the fabric into an endless rope, passing portions of the endless rope loosely over spaced generally elliptical horizontal parallel reels arranged near and above a liquid mass, forming upon each reel a spirially wound rope portion, holding the spirally wound rope portions separate except at their ends, forming in each spirally wound rope portion upper and lower runs and slack in the lower runs, arranging the discharge end of each spirally wound rope portion beneath its reel and the intake end of each spirally wound rope portion above its reel and arranging the discharge end of each spirally wound rope portion next to the intake end of the other spirally wound rope portion and passing such discharge end to such intake end, submerging the slack in the liquid mass, rotating the reels so that their upper portions travel outwardly in opposite directions and the upper runs fall down over the outer sides of the reels, adding folded layers to the lower runs of each spiral rope portion at their outer ends and taking folded layers from the lower runs of each spirally wound rope portion at their inner ends, supporting the folded lower runs of each spirally wound rope portion at an elevation spaced beneath its reel.

3. The method of uniformly dyeing a long length of fabric, comprising forming the fabric into an endless rope, supporting the endless rope and forming portions thereof into substantially parallel substantially horizontal spiral portions and connecting the spiral portions with each other only at their opposite ends and thereby providing upper and lower runs in the spiral portions, rotating the spiral portions about substantially horizontal axes and moving the upper runs of the spiral portions outwardly in opposite directions so that the endless rope travels in spiral courses and the upper runs move downwardly outwardly of the axes of rotation, arranging the intake end of each spiral portion in general alignment with the discharge end of the other spiral portion, forming pleats in the lower runs of the spiral portions and moving such pleats inwardly as they are formed and holding the inner pleats vertically uncovered by the outer pleats, and submerging the pleats in the liquid dye.

i. The method of uniformly dyeing a long length of fabric, comprising forming the fabric into an endless rope, moving portions of the endless rope longitudinally in opposite directions in spaced opposed substantially parallel substantially horizontal spiral courses, rotating the tops of such portions in the courses outwardly in opposite directions about horizontal axes and thereby forming a plurality of upper runs in each spiral course above the axis of rotation and a plurality of lower runs in each spiral course beneath the axis of rotation, moving the upper runs downwardly upon the outer sides of the axes of rotation, holding the courses separate from each other except at their ends, arranging the intake end of each spiral course in general alignment with the discharge end of the other spiral course, forming pleats in the lower runs of each spiral course and moving the pleats in the lower runs of the two spiral courses inwardly in paths inclined from the vertical so that the inner pleats approach upright positions, submerging the pleats in the liquid dye, passing the pleats of the lower run at the discharge end of each spiral course to the upper run at the intake end of the other spiral course, and repeating the cycle of operation.

5. The method of uniformly dyeing a long length of fabric, comprising forming the fabric into an endless rope, moving portions of the endless rope longitudinally in opposite directions in spaced opposed substantially parallel substantially horizontal spiral courses, rotating the tops of the spiral rope portions in the spiral courses outwardly in opposite directions about substantially horizontal axes and thereby forming a plurality of upper runs in the spiral rope portions above the axes of rotation and a plurality of lower runs in the spiral rope portions beneath such axes of rotation, arranging the intake end of each spiral rope portion at the top of the spiral course and the discharge end of each spiral rope portion at the bottom of the spiral course, holding the spiral rope portions except at their ends, holding the discharge end of each spiral rope portion next to the intake end of the other spiral rope portion, forming pleats in the lower runs of both spiral rope portions, submerging the pleats in the liquid dye, moving the pleats inwardly as formed so that the inner pleats remain uncovered by the outer pleats, passing the inner pleats of the lower run at the discharge end of each spiral rope portion in a generally straight path to the upper run at the intake end of the other spiral rope portion, and repeating the cycle of operation.

6. The method of uniformly dyeing a long length of fabric, comprising forming the fabric into an endless rope, moving portions of the endless rope longitudinally in opposite directions in spaced opposed substantially parallel substantially horizontal courses, rotating the tops of the spiral rope portion in the spiral courses outwardly in opposite directions about substantially horizontal axes and thereby forming a plurality of upper runs in the spiral rope portions above the axes of rotation and a plurality of lower runs in the spiral rope portions beneath such axes of rotation, arranging the intake end of each spiral rope portion at the top of the spiral course and the discharge end of each spiral rope portion at the bottom of the spiral course, holding the spiral rope portions separate except at their ends, holding the discharge end of each spiral rope portion next to the intake end of the other spiral rope portion, forming pleats in the lower runs of both spiral rope portions, subinerging the pleats in the liquid dye, passing the inner pleats of the lower run at the discharge end of each spiral rope portion in a generally straight path free from abrupt turns to the upper run at the intake end of the other spiral rope portion, and repeating the cycle of operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 721,630 Willard Feb. 24, 1903 1,083,360 Fulton Jan. 6, 1914 1,702,535 Cole Feb. 19, 1929 1,777,989 Lane Oct. 7, 1930 1,790,132 Bronander Jan. 27, 1931 1,917,419 Andresen July 11, 1933 2,062,943 Schmidt Dec. 1, 1936 2,148,611 Ferranti Feb. 28, 1939 2,319,699 Migliaccio May 18, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 95,604 Germany Jan. 5, 1898 509,254 Germany Oct. 6, 1930 

1. THE METHOD OF TREATING FABRIC FOR DYEING, BLEACHING, OR WASHING THE SAME, COMPRISING FORMING THE FABRIC INTO AN ENDLESS ROPE, PASSING PORTIONS OF THE ENDLESS ROPE ABOUT SPACED OPPOSED GENERALLY ELLIPTICAL HORIZONTAL SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL REELS ARRANGED NEAR AND ABOVE A LIQUID MASS, FORMING UPON EACH REEL A SPIRALLY WOUND ROPE PORTION, HOLDING THE SPIRALLY WOUND ROPE PORTIONS SEPARATE FROM EACH OTHER EXCEPT AT THEIR ENDS, FORMING UPPER AND LOWER RUNS IN EACH SPIRALLY WOUND ROPE PORTION AND SLACK IN THE LOWER RUNS, CONTACTING THE UPPER RUNS ONLY WITH THE UPPER PORTIONS OF THE REELS AND PERMANENTLY SPACING THE LOWER OF THE REELS AND PERMANENTLY OF THE REELS, ARRANGING THE DISCHARGE END OF EACH SPIRALLY WOUND ROPE PORTION BENEATH ITS REEL AND THE INTAKE END OF EACH SPIRALLY WOUND ROPE PORTION ABOVE ITS REEL, ARRANGING THE DISCHARGE END OF EACH SPIRALLY WOUND ROPE PORTION NEXT TO THE INTAKE END OF THE OTHER SPIRALLY WOUND ROPE PORTION AND PASSING SUCH DISCHARGE END TO SUCH INTAKE END, SUBMERGING THE SLACK IN THE LIQUID MASS, ROTATING THE REELS SO THAT THEIR UPPER PORTIONS TRAVEL OUTWARDLY IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AND THE UPPER RUNS DROP DOWN LAYERS TO THE LOWER RUNS OF REELS, ADDING FOLDED LAYERS TO THE LOWER RUNS OF EACH SPIRAL ROPE PORTION AT THEIR OUTER ENDS AND TAKING FOLDED LAYERS FROM THE LOWER RUNS OF EACH SPIRAL ROPE PORTION AT THEIR INNER ENDS, SUPPORTING THE LOWER RUNS OF EACH SPIRALLY WOUND ROPE PORTION SO THAT THEY ARE MOVED INWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY BY GRAVITY, ENGAGING THE INTERMEDIATE RUNS OF EACH SPIRALLY WOUND ROPE PORTION UPON THE INNER SIDE OF THE REEL AND HOLDING SUCH RUNS AGAINST LATERAL MOVEMENT TOWARD THE REEL AND HOLDING SUCH RUNS SEPARATE FROM EACH OTHER. 